Holy Trinity Bukit Bintang
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Lent Devotion

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"At the Foot of the Cross" is an annual Lenten devotion written by clergy and lay leaders in the Anglican Diocese of West Malaysia. This devotion has been faithfully produced since 1992 and this year's theme is on 1 and 2 Thessalonians. Join us as we journey together towards the foot of the cross.

 
 

21 March - God is Just

 

“All this is evidence that God’s judgment is right, and as a result you will be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you are suffering. God is just: he will pay back trouble to those who trouble you and give relief to you who are troubled, and to us as well. This will happen when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven in blazing fire with his powerful angels. He will punish those who do not know God and do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. They will be punished with everlasting destruction and shut out from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his might on the day he comes to be glorified in his holy people and to be marvelled at among all those who have believed. This includes you, because you believed our testimony to you.”

2 Thessalonians 1:5-10

 

Have you, like most people in the world, had a tough year? Or perhaps you have been mistreated unfairly by someone. At various times we all long for justice and for everything to be put right. The Christians in Thessalonica did not have it easy. St Paul had planted the church there but had been forced to leave them within just three weeks due to persecution. This young community of believers now faced trials and hardship without Paul and without even having the New Testament to read. Therefore, Paul writes this second letter of encouragement to them with words that still speak so powerfully to us today. In our verses for today, what encouragement does Paul give?

Firstly, he reassures us that there will be justice, everything will eventually be put right. He writes that “God is just”. Justice is an essential part of what it means for God to be loving. God is love, which means he can’t just overlook or turn a blind eye to all of the bad, unfair stuff in the world. Let this aspect of God’s loving character bring you reassurance as you face challenges in life.

Secondly, Paul explains that we might have to wait for ultimate justice to be done. He writes, “This will happen when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven in blazing fire”. Some things will only be put right at the end of time when Jesus returns, so don’t grow impatient if some things don’t yet seem right, they will be dealt with eventually.

Thirdly, we read that this ultimate justice comes in the form of a person, in the Lord Jesus Christ. Love has two aspects to it, justice and mercy. Justice demands a penalty be paid for wrongdoing, including our sins. Mercy suggests that we who deserve punishment be set free. If God is love, how can he fulfil both aspects of his love, how can he fulfil perfect justice and perfect mercy in the world? The answer is the cross of Jesus. Only at the cross do justice and mercy meet. This Lent ponder how on the cross Jesus paid the penalty for your sin and my sin, for the sin of all injustice, and yet also took our place so that we might be set free and forgiven.

Finally, Paul reminds us that this good news of coming justice is for you and me. He says, “This includes you, because you believed our testimony to you.” To all who believe and put their trust in Jesus, judgement is not something to fear but something to look forward to as you will stand before the Lord, righteous, holy and forgiven because of the cross. And remember, in the end all will be well, so if right now all is not well, then that means it’s not the end.

PONDER

Jesus' death on the cross is where perfect love, justice and mercy meet.

PROMISE

As Paul writes, ‘This includes you,’ hold on to the fact that you are forgiven and need not fear justice being done because of your faith in Jesus and his death on the cross for you.

PRAYER

Heavenly Father, thank you that your Son died for me, so that I can be forgiven and righteous in your sight. I pray that upon Jesus’ return, he would put all things right, make amends for every wrongdoing, and in the meantime, please would you give me the patience and strength to endure. I pray this in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Article by the Reverend Miles Toulmin, Vicar of Holy Trinity Bukit Bintang, Kuala Lumpur. Miles is also the Executive Director of Alpha Asia Pacific.

HTBB